Sometimes, a single thoughtful detail is all it takes to bring a Japanese aesthetic to life.

“While studying Japanese motifs, we discovered the semi-circular shoji. It represents a state of transition and suggests movement toward wholeness, which perfectly represents the couple’s current stage in life,” says Yuisze Wong of Studio Ruei, the creative mind behind this 827-square-foot, three-bedroom seaview apartment in Hung Hom.

The clients, a professional couple, recently had their first child. They wanted a home that reflected this new stage of life while incorporating Japanese aesthetics.  “During our initial consultation, I learned about the couple’s life story and background. They both studied in Australia, and their favourite travel destination was Japan. Recently, their family expanded with the arrival of their firstborn. They wanted a design with Japanese aesthetics that was not overly traditional,” says Wong. 

The couple provided a few reference images, which Wong used to develop the concept. With creative freedom, she created a unified design inspired by the Japanese motif of Semi-Circular Shoji. 

A shoji is a traditional Japanese door, window, or room divider made of transparent sheets on a lattice frame. It comes in various forms, including circular and semi-circular shapes.

This motif is reflected throughout the apartment. Built-in furniture, loose furnishings, and decorative elements combine Japanese-inspired shapes with modern touches. A neutral palette of soft greys and light browns is accented with black to add contrast. “They wanted a colour palette that was soft – something that enhanced their sense of relaxation and comfort,” shares Wong.  

The rounded shape of the circular shoji in the living and dining areas softens the space’s overall look, enhancing the sense of calm and flow.   

Functionality was a key factor in the design. Wong considered the apartment’s layout and the family’s daily routines. For example, the living room features a curved sofa that matches the shape of the window, making efficient use of space.  

The coffee table is another practical addition. “It is made from toughened paper, which can be folded away (like a book) when the living room needs to be turned into a play area for the baby,” Wong explains.  

In the shared areas, two abstract black-and-white artworks were chosen for the living and dining rooms. “We selected something abstract that adds a splash of contrast, whilst not being overly empowering. The matching set of artworks in the living and dining rooms maintain a sense of visual cohesion in these areas,” says Wong.  

The grey wall behind the shoji in the living room is not just decorative but functional. “It is Japanese diatomaceous earth that contains bits of straw. It has multiple advantages that include sound absorption, insulation, and low VOC emissions.

Also, it excels at humidity absorption, which is particularly beneficial for this project, since it is located by the seaside in Hung Hom,” Wong adds.  

The same aesthetics extends into the bedroom, where the combo of grey wall and wooden finishes affords the space a sense of serenity.

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